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House reappoints PURA chair Marissa Gillette after heated debate over rates and transparency
Summary
The Connecticut House voted to reappoint Marissa Paslick Gillette as chair of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority after hours of floor debate over rising energy costs, claims of unilateral agency actions and calls for greater transparency. The nomination passed 91–52.
Marissa Paslick Gillette was reappointed chair of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority after the Connecticut House voted 91–52 to adopt the nomination on April 9, 2025.
Lawmakers spent more than an hour debating the renomination, with opponents linking the commission’s recent decisions to higher electric bills and criticizing what they described as a lack of transparency. Representative Zullo said in floor remarks, “The people are fed up. They are exasperated. They are tired of choosing between paying for medication and paying their utility bills.” Supporters of Gillette countered that she followed statutory mandates and worked to advance consumer programs. Representative Mashinsky said, “Chairwoman Gillette did what our law required.”
Representative Concepcion, who moved acceptance of the committee’s favorable report, urged adoption and highlighted initiatives the chair has supported, including an Office of Education and Outreach intended to help the public understand PURA’s role. “One thing she highlighted… was being more transparent,” Concepcion told the chamber during debate.
Opponents pressed several specific complaints on the floor: they faulted PURA’s decision-making process, questioned whether some orders had been issued without full panel votes, and pointed to multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar program numbers cited during the debate. Members asked why $275,000,000 in funds referenced by utilities had not been returned directly to ratepayers, and they criticized the costs tied to programs including low-income discounts and EV infrastructure that some speakers said were being socialized across all customers.
Supporters said the commissioner has constrained many rate requests and implemented programs to soften impacts for vulnerable customers. Multiple legislators urged structural changes to improve collaboration between PURA, the legislature and utilities rather than attributing all responsibility to the chair.
After debate, the House recessed for the roll call and adopted the resolution confirming Gillette’s reappointment. The reappointment extends the commissioner’s term according to the statutory appointment process for PURA.
